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July 01, 2007
July Newsletter
Pastor's Pen
As some of you know since I've been here, I've been considering what a local mission project would do for our church. As I've spoken to several about this, several at Faith have fondly remembered our mission now defunct to the "trailer court". It is said and rightly so, I believe, that churches which have missions are entirely different than those who don't. The reason for this is that a local mission changes the focus of a church from internal to external.
My first week here I "happened" to be invited to a International Student Ministry Seminar which met at Purdue University to focus on the University and community's efforts at welcoming and orienting the 1700 new, International students arriving early in August. The two largest groups are, as many of you know, those from India and mainland China. Many of those students, particularly the Chinese, will arrive in Indiana without a good deal of experience in conversational knowledge of English (though I must tell you in China, most students study written English from grade school on.) They will arrive before their housing is available. They will arrive knowing very little American medicine or how to shop at a local establishment such as Wal-mart. Fries at McDonalds will be a new thing.
This started me thinking wouldn't it be a sound move if we did what Jesus said and welcome strangers into our midst?
To do so we might begin by partnering with some of the other churches that will be offering picnics for the new students attending orientation.
Other plans seem even more exciting. At the ISM, Inc. meeting I was told several churches in the area are offering classes to Internationals which includes electives such as teaching "English as a Second Language" and possibly even a Bible study which would provide the opportunity for internationals to understand and discuss in English the kind of literature which has affected the values of so many Americans over the years. All of this has led me to wondering if Faith is interested in getting involved in studies like these as a sort of mission.
The benefits could be great for our church. International students would come to worship. We could solicit help from the community in developing the classes and in welcoming these new friends. Wouldn't it be a thrill to see students and scholars from foreign countries attend their first Christian worship service ever. Since only the brightest and best students and scholars are sent here, if they did become followers of Christ, they would take their faith back to positions of great influence in their countries.
Part of this adventure would be sheer pleasure. Since foreign students haven't seen much of the Midwest, some might take an interest in planning out a field trip to Turkey Run or the Windy City. Maybe even catch the White Sox.
From this basic idea it is also possible at some point to expand our effort by inviting our neighbors to sponsor an international, that is, to have a student or scholar out to their home occasionally. As some of you know 80% of all internationals never get to visit an American home while Stateside.
I think it might be an easy sell to visit some of the nearby housing developments to assess interest. If we found a dozen partners, we could have a planning meeting at Faith and begin a lasting friendship with some of those who live so close, but haven't yet discovered us. Doing this when ice cream doesn't seem to work.
Then, later on, we might undertake meeting needs of our visitors from abroad who will most likely come without coats and gloves for the winter, or find themselves in dire need of a bed or extra desk.
I've already spoken to the deacons and the session about this. They both have expressed interest. What do you think? Are you interested? I need to see that we have sufficient interest to form a planning committee. Please call the church office to let me know!
One person from Faith with whom I spoke with told me he believed any new pastor coming into a situation where the congregation was soundly engaged in a local mission of this caliber would be far more interested in accepting a position at that church than he would coming into a setting where an engaging mission such as this would have to be built from ground zero.
Since the time is short, please let me know of your interest. If this is only my idea, it won't fly. If God is in it, it can't fail.
Pastor Ron
Schedule Information
Sunday, July 1st Sermon: The Heavens Declare the Glory of God
Psalm 19: 1 - 4
Romans 10: 5 - 18
Sunday, July 8th Sermon: Why the Bread and the Wine
1 Corinthians 11: 23 – 27
Communion
Sunday, July 15th Sermon: Converted to Community
Ephesians 4: 1 – 7, 11, 25: 2 – 7, 29
Sunday, July 22nd Sermon: Spiritual Growth
Matthew 13: 18 - 23
Sunday, July 29th Sermon: Building Bridges of Hope
Matthew 28: 16 – 21
Matthew 5: 13 - 16
Clerk's Corner
The July 1, 2007 Sunday morning service will be held on the patio of the church.
At its June 12, 2007 meeting the Session discussed plans for assisting in the welcome of foreign students, particularly those from China, in cooperation with other organizations in town and on the Purdue campus. Pastor Green acquainted the members of Session with the upcoming Willow Creek Conference on Christian Leadership, to be held August 7 – 9, 2007. He urged members of Session and of the Congregation to attend this worthwhile event. Details of the Conference are provided in a separate announcement.
The Session also dealt with (1) the operation of Sunday School classes during the summer, and with plans for continuation into the fall and winter, (2) with staffing of the nursery, and (3) with the hiring of a Youth Director to fill the position that was held by Arthur Semotan.
A request for monetary assistance in the upgrade of the organ was tabled. However, a notification to the Congregation of these plans will be distributed soon, in hopes that the approximately $ 9000 in needed funds will be raised through individual donations.
Jurgen Honig
Clerk of Session
Welcome Reception for Pastor Ron Green
A reception was held on May 20 at 7pm for our interim pastor. About 60 congregates greeted Pastor Ron Green. He shared a little bit about himself and his work as an interim. Be sure to introduce yourself to Pastor Green so he may get to know the congregation quickly.
Mitford Tea
Our now famous Mitford Tea was attended by 40 women. Beautiful tables, lively conversation, and “nonsense” led by Nancy Dunn rounded out the afternoon. Barb Knox presented a thoughtful devotional about God’s Hand When Making Changes in our lives. From singing RAGGMOPP to presentation of the Queen Mother Hat Award we had a special time. Tables were decorated in various themes. Antique Tea Sets (by Ann Landgrebe), Garden Flora & Insects (by Tammy Sandel & Barb Knox), Traditional Tea Time (by Jan Hem), Teddy Bears Picnic (by Jan Hem), and Santa Fe Railroad plates, menus, and memorabilia (by Nancy Dunn) added a festive touch to our afternoon.
Lunch at Puccini's
On Saturday, May 19, about 30 women enjoyed a lunch break at Puccini’s. As our mission offering toiletries were collected for Tippecanoe Villa residents. Conversation was lively and the women seemed to appreciate a Saturday activity so those working full time could attend. Be sure to join us for our next luncheon.
FELLOWSHIP, FUN AND FOOD - Graduation Recognition
The congregation recognized our graduates during several fellowship hours in the month of May. Lois Wark gathered them in and each graduate told us of their future plans. They were presented with a small cake. Congratulation to Jordan Sparks, Jeannette Sinclair, Bethany Lockwood, Erin Menser-Robertson, Roy Robertson, and Stephanie Colbert. You will always be a part of us.
Worship On The Patio
Come join us for worship outside or in, and stay for lunch afterwards.
Please bring your own meat,* and a large dish to share.
Drinks and tableware will be provided.
*Ron Smith will oversee the gas grills.
LifeCare Services Pregnancy Resource Center
Do you have a heart for young women facing an unplanned pregnancy? Have you ever wished you could provide a word of encouragement and hope in response to a phone call; or perhaps comfort a frightened young lady who has just come to the realization that her whole life is turned upside down?
If you have a loving, nonjudgmental heart and a love of the Lord, we would welcome you to consider coming for training in a volunteer capacity as a Helpline Counselor, Counselor, or in some other area.
If you feel God has called you, or you would like to explore the possibility, we would love to have you join us for our next training session in July! Please call LifeCare Services at 743-4488 for an application.
Your assistance would be greatly appreciated!
HABITAT ON THE HILL
Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette
and Huntington University to present ‘Godspell’
July 6th at 7pm at Slayter Center
ABOUT GODSPELL AND HUNTINGTON UNIVERSITY: This summer, a traveling theatre troupe of 13 current students and one future student from Huntington University will present “Godspell” – one of the biggest Broadway and off-Broadway successes of all time. This is the second consecutive run for the production, which ran for more than 40 performances in the summer of 2006.
With a new cast and crew and a fresh theme, this production combines compelling acting and voices with guitar, piano, keyboards and drums.
Through trained theatre and musical skills and God-given talent, the “Godspell” troupe will share the joyous good news of the Gospel at 7pm on Friday, July 6th at Slayter Center (Purdue University). Admission is free, and the public is cordially invited to attend (Please bring your own blanket or chair).
The “Godspell” cast and crew will perform at approximately 40 churches throughout the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions from June 7 to Aug. 10.
Unlike earlier productions of “Godspell,” which cast Jesus and his disciples as a traveling band of troubadours, this interpretation casts Christ as the producer/director of the ultimate variety show. Jesus
comes to help his followers find their talent and voice – not to praise themselves, but to help spread His Message. Each “Godspell” performance is the end result of a two-and-a-half week rehearsal intensive “boot camp” in which student actors and musicians join the professional production team to mount these energetic, non-stop performances.
ABOUT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF LAFAYETTE and HABITAT ON THE HILL: Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette is a nonprofit Christian housing ministry dedicated to building decent, affordable housing in partnership with those in need in Tippecanoe, Carroll and White counties. Since 1985,
Habitat for Humanity of Lafayette has worked with 145 families to build homes. For more information, visit www.lafayettehabitat.org.
This year, at least 5 Habitat houses are being sponsored by church groups. In celebration, Habitat has named these builds “The Body of Christ Build” and will be holding several special events this year. One of these events was a t-shirt design contest for the local children to create a design to be used for “The Body of Christ Build” t-shirts. The winning entry will be unveiled at “Habitat on the Hill” when ‘Godspell’ is performed. “Body of Christ Build” t-shirts will be sold at the event.
Questions? Please contact Melissa Millis at 765.423.4590 x 103 or melissa@lafayettehabitat.org.
Long Center for the Performing Arts
Members of Faith Church were well represented at the Monster Concert held at the Long Center for the Performing Arts on Thursday June 10th. The event was sponsored by the Greater Lafayette Piano Teachers Association which included the efforts of our Jan Hem and many other teachers.
The concert bore the title "monster" in that there were 10 large, grand pianos which engulfed the stage, providing instrumentation for rank after rank of 20 performers who together stepped up to the keyboard for performance after performance. All told there were about 185 participants--all High School age or younger.
Included in that number were Chase LaTour, Sophie and Mayfawny Bergmann and Wanyoung Kim (one of our teen VBS helpers). Perhaps most noteworthy was the fact that the entire production was conducted by our own choir director, Nadya Dubikovsky!
We congratulate our performers! It was a good thing!
Veteran's History Project
Through a combined effort of The National Library of Congress, the American Folklife Center, the U.S. Congress and Senator Lugar’s office, Disabled American Veterans, and the AARP, I recently participated in an activity of the Veteran’s History Project.
The object of this project is to secure an oral interview, along with copies or photographs of any documentary materials desired, with every living participant of World War I, World War II, Korean, Vietnam, and Persian Gulf Wars. This includes both men and women civilian volunteers, support staff, war industry workers, and all branches of the military: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and Merchant Marine. We are losing many of the stories that these people have to tell us, and we really need to keep them. The stories are recorded by a trained interviewer and placed in the Library of Congress. These interviews are being digitized and will eventually all be accessible online at www.loc.gov/folklife/vets by entering the veteran’s name.
The interviews done in the Lafayette area took place on May 31st. However, there are still many stories unrecorded in this area. If you are a veteran, or if you have a relative or acquaintance who is a veteran, I have the training and permission to conduct interviews and submit them. I would like very much to record as many of these stories as possible. Call me, and I can help set up a time and place that we can conduct the session.
Barbara Knox
765-463-2725
Hinkel Named Head Wrestling Coach
Scott Hinkel (a member of Faith Church congregation) has been an assistant coach at Purdue since 1993.
In May of 2007 Purdue athletics director Morgan J. Burke announced the hiring of Scott Hinkel as the 13th head wrestling coach in school history.
Hinkel, a 14-year assistant coach and former All-American for the Boilermakers, has served as interim head coach since Jessie Reyes resigned March 31.
For the rest of the article go to: http://purduesports.cstv.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/052507aab.html
Several From Faith to Attend the Leadership SUMMIT
This August 7-9 Pastor Green, and tentatively Glenn Sparks and Charlie Short will be attending The Leadership Summit, Willow Creek Association's Leadership Conference, in South Barrington, IL.
The all-Star cast of speakers are as follows:
BILL HYBELS Senior pastor and chairman of the board for the Willow Creek Association.
His messages will include "Visions to Die For" and "Whatever you do, Inspire Me!”
There will be an exclusive interview with COLIN POWELL who will discuss "leading at the Highest Level" along with an exclusive interview with JIMMY CARTER whose message is entitled "Building Humanity".
Other speakers include JOHN ORTBERG, preaching pastor at Menlo Park Presbyterian Church, in Menlo Park, California. He is a best selling author and highly acclaimed speaker, coming to speak on "A leader's Greatest Fear".
MICHAEL E. PORTER is one of the world's foremost authorities on competitive strategy and an expert at relating his academic research to the areas of leadership development and management theory. He is the Bishop William Lawrence University Professor at Harvard Business School; he has authored 17 books, and his ideas on competitive strategy and leadership are taught at virtually every business school around the world. He will be speaking on "Leadership Strategy".
FLOYD H. FLAKE is senior pastor of the Greater Allen A.M.E. Cathedral of New York--a church which has grown into a 23,000 member church with senior citizens, private school and hundreds of housing units for members and community residents. He will address the topic of "The Heat of Responsibility".
CARLY FIORINA will also step onto the platform. She served as chief executive officer of Hewlett-Packard from 1999 to 2005. Her work there involved reinventing the firm in order to compete in a rapidly-changing business landscape. She will speak on "Tough Choices".
Then MARCUS BUCKINGHAM will speak. Drawing from nearly two decades as a senior researcher at The Gallup Organization, he has become one of the world's leading authorities on employee productivity and practices of leading and managing. He is the author of best-selling First Break All the Rules, Now, Discover your Strengths. His message is entitled "Go Put Your Strengths to Work"
Finally, RICHARD CURTIS, the prolific screenwriter and director from New Zealand by birth known for his comedic storytelling will speak on "Living for the Greater Good".
If any others would like to join the team heading to The SUMMIT in August, please contact Pastor Ron. This would be a very helpful way to develop your leadership skills for use here at Faith.
Vacation Bible School was a True Fish Tale!
When 35 children and 34 adults walked gingerly past the grazing camels and passed through the gates of the city of Nazareth Monday morning they entered the world of Jesus' ministry. Through the stories
of Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew we learned 5 key points about Jesus that affect us today:
1) Jesus chooses us like he chose his first disciples.
2) Jesus teaches us the Golden Rule.
3) Jesus heals us like he healed many during his life on earth.
4) Jesus protects us like he protected the disciples on the stormy sea.
5) Jesus provides for us like he fed the 5,000.
The kids traveled around Nazareth with their Tribe family and we had 4 of the Tribes of Israel in residence. They learned the stories of Jesus from their Tribe Leader and practiced traditional customs of the day,
including touching the mezuza and smelling the b'samim spices. The tribes attended Synagogue School each day and had lessons with Rabbi Ron. They learned about the Torah, leprosy, menorahs and even shared a
Seder meal. They visited the Seaside Playground every day for some fun in the sun.
Each day they also visited a different Marketplace shop where they made fishnet bags, menorahs, and picture frames. They strung bead and shell necklaces and carved stone.
All the tribes gathered for a music and worship time at the beginning and end of each day. They learned some new songs and sang some of our favorites.
Bible School is not possible without help from so many of you! Thank you to the Tribe Leaders SueAnne Bergmann, Nancy Moore, Grieke Toebes, and Dan Trinkle; the Assistant Tribe Leaders Mayfawny Bergmann, Carolyn Kessler, Wanyoung Kim, and Grace Sededji. The Rabbi at Synagogue School was Pastor Ron, who had the toughest job of teaching all 4 Tribes all 5 days. Oh yeah, he also took charge of the daily
skits! Thank you all!
The families were greeted by the registration crew: Carol Graefnitz, Deb Johnson, Ron Smith, Jane Stewart, and Lois Wark.
Music was provided by Nancy Dunn and Jan Hem with our fabulous VBS Singers: Mayfawny Bergmann, Wanyoung Kim, and Grace Sededji.
The delicious snacks were prepared each day by Barbara Knox and Barbara Wiggs. They were assisted by very two talented waiters, Mike Cardwell and Nick Nevius.
Pam Kirby ran the Seaside Playground Resort with assistants Mike Cardwell and Nick Nevius.
Lou Ann Johnston was head shopkeeper at the Marketplace. She had lots of help: Jennie Blackburn, Shirley Bosler, Erica Butram, Carol Graefnitz, Jamie Graefnitz, Deb Johnson, Lana Johnston, Jean McCoy, John Miller, Alley Nevius , Kris Stith, Marilyn Sameh, and Lois Wark.
Bob Verplank took pictures of each child and tribe as well as some candid shots of VBS in action. He then compiled them into a nice slide show. Stephanie has a copy if you want to see it.
Stephanie Cardwell's contributions of high-speed designing, printing and copying are much appreciated both before and during VBS. But most especially they all occurred 10 minutes before 35 kids were supposed to
have a reminder card to take home (that Kathy forgot)!
Thanks to everyone who loaned us stuff we used during the week, including Shirley Bosler, Mary Ann Combs, Bobby Kane, and Margaret Rogler.
Again, VBS could not have happened this year without your support. Thank you!
Lou Ann Johnston and Kathy Trinkle
MOAPI Recipe Books
MOAPI (Mother Of All Pitch Ins) recipe books are still available in the Narthex. Stephanie can make more if needed. Let Grieke Toebes know if you need one.
Birthdays
July 3 Dennis Dunn
July 6 Rebecca Kettel
July 10 Lonni Kucik
July 12 Yancy Wilcoxson
July 14 Kristin Hem
July 14 Steve Varys
July 18 Missy Yacomeni
July 19 Hannah Wilcoxson
July 21 Kevin Johnston
July 21 Patrick Kain
July 22 Pam Kirby
July 22 Dominic Sages
July 25 Kaitlyn Housley
July 26 William Hinze
July 26 Charlie Short
July 27 Jay McMillin
July 29 Carson McVay
July 30 Owen Sages
Anniversaries
July 28 Mike & Cathy Lockwood
Community Worship Services
• Sun., July 1 St. Mary’s Healthcare 2:30pm
• Sun., July 8 Tippecanoe Villa 1:30pm
• Sun., July 8 Friendship House 3:00pm
• Sun., July 16 Davis Manor 3:00pm
• Sun., July 23 Rosewalk Commons 2:30pm
The Deacons invite you to become a part of this ministry.
Worship With Us
We invite you to join in the worship of God each Sunday morning at 9:30am. We also invite you to participate in the prayers, fellowship, work and activities of this church.
For more information about this opportunity to be involved at Faith Presbyterian Church, please call or talk to any member of Session or call the church office at 743-3683
Posted by faithpres at July 1, 2007 10:26 AM